Sarrazin

A Université de Montréal graduate called to the Bar in 2002, Marie-Claude Sarrazin has over 20 years of experience in disciplinary, civil and commercial litigation.

A seasoned litigator with recognized expertise in construction law, she favours innovative approaches to dispute resolution, seeking out creative and practical solutions to meet her clients’ needs.

Over the course of her career, Marie-Claude Sarrazin has represented numerous public clients, including universities and government corporations such as Olympic Park, and has been involved in many cases involving public infrastructures. She has also acquired extensive knowledge in public tendering and construction-related claims for contractors, professionals, owners and sureties.

Marie-Claude Sarrazin also has an impressive background in disciplinary and professional law: she represents syndics of professional orders before various disciplinary boards, the Professions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. She supports syndics in developing strategies and carrying out complex investigations, allowing for the imposition of sanctions against professionals in cases of financial fraud, extreme derogatory behaviour prejudicial to the honour and dignity of the profession, and breach of good practice.

Always mindful of her clients' interests, she stays up to date regarding best practices aimed at simplifying expert evidence, alternatives to dispute resolution and the introduction of value-added technologies.

She has also given conferences on the prevention of litigation in construction law and has developed several training programs on topics of interest in disciplinary law, ethics and the rules governing contracts with public bodies.

A bold and committed lawyer, Marie-Claude Sarrazin has chaired the Board of Directors of SOQUIJ since 2018 and is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Institut québécois de la réforme du droit et de la justice (IQRDJ). Her contribution to the public debate on the new Code of Civil Procedure is also noteworthy. A true leader when it comes to the transformation of the legal profession, she is actively involved with the Bar of Montreal's Transformation de la profession committee.

Convinced that digital tools can foster better day-to-day collaboration, she proactively proposes new technologies to her colleagues, clients and fellow lawyers: Sarrazin Plourde has been a paperless law firm for several years now and has been pursuing its digital transformation since well before the pandemic.

Marie-Claude Sarrazin’s vast experience and dedication make her an invaluable advisor.

Frequently representing syndics before disciplinary councils and the Professions Tribunal of various professional orders such as the Ordre de comptables professionnels agréés du Québec, the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, the Chambre des notaires du Québec and the Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec.

Intervening before the Court of Appeal on behalf of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec in the Ingénieurs v. Gilbert matter involving the nature of the syndic-expert relationship.

Representing the Régie des installations olympiques (RIO) in the context of an injunction instituted by an unsuccessful bidder when a call for tenders for the installation of a handling system to renovate the Olympic Stadium mast was cancelled.

Representing the Parti Québécois before the Commission of Inquiry on the Awarding and Management of Public Contracts in the Construction Industry (Charbonneau Commission).

Involved in a lawsuit filed by the Hudson’s Bay Company against the City of Montreal regarding the crack in the concrete slab of The Bay department store in 2006.

Involved in the long-term trial concerning the Olympic Stadium roof in the matter Danny’s Construction Company v. Birdair inc. and Canadian General Insurance Company concerning a contractual duty to cooperate.

Representing an architect firm in a professional liability lawsuit leading to the dismissal before the Quebec Court of Appeal of a claim for over $8 million in Côté v. Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company of Canada.

Representing McGill University in the context of lawsuits and claims arising from construction contracts, and in particular with respect to the Génome Québec Innovation Centre.

• Marie-Claude Sarrazin, “Justice sans papier : Plus simple et accessible que l’on pense!” (National Judicial Institute, delivered in St John’s (Nfld.), 9 May 2018).
• Marie-Claude Sarrazin, “Le plaidoyer de culpabilité : où en sommes-nous?” (OpenForumOuvert, Droit disciplinaire et droit administratif, delivered in Montreal, 17 April 2018).
• Marie-Claude Sarrazin, “Justice sans papier - Présentation d’un projet-pilote” (Journée des syndics, Forum des syndics, Conseil interprofessionnel du Québec, delivered in Montreal, 21 June 2017).
• Marie-Claude Sarrazin, “L’enquête et l’entrevue : Les meilleures pratiques” (OpenForumOuvert, Droit disciplinaire et droit administratif, delivered in Montreal, 25 April 2017).
• Marie-Claude Sarrazin, “La place du préjudice dans la détermination de la sanction” (OpenForumOuvert, Droit disciplinaire et droit administratif, delivered in Montreal, 31 May 2016).
• Marie-Claude Sarrazin, “L’expert en droit disciplinaire : où en sommes-nous ?” (Journée thématique en droit disciplinaire, Canadian Institute, delivered in Montreal, 3 June 2015).
• Marie-Claude Sarrazin, “Décisions récentes et litiges émergents en droit disciplinaire” (Journée thématique en droit disciplinaire, Canadian Institute, delivered in Montreal, 11 June 2014).

Marie-Claude is also the author of several conferences offered to clients in professional disciplinary law, including:

• “Le dossier d’enquête : meilleures pratiques pour rencontrer son fardeau de preuve”.
• “Faute déontologique ou erreur technique : là est la question”.
• “Procédures concomitantes : autonomies et interrelations?”.
• “Relation entre le syndic et son expert : une question d’utilité”.

• President of the Société québécoise d'information juridique (SOQUIJ) (2018 to present)
• Founding member of the Accès au droit et à la justice (ADAJ) research collaboration and Director of the Laboratoire de cyberjustice pilot project entitled Justice sans papier (2016 to present)
• Member of the Liaison Committee between the Bar of Montreal and the Professions Tribunal (2008 to present), including participation in drafting the Aide-mémoire sur les meilleures pratiques au Tribunal des professions in November 2012
• Secretary of the Observatoire sur le droit à la justice affiliated with the Université de Montréal (2011 to present)
• Member of the Board of Directors of the Théâtre de l’Opsis (2012 to present)